Good morning, friends, and Merry Christmas! I woke up with these thoughts on my heart today and decided to write them down as a prayer.

Working in healthcare has been difficult. This whole year has been difficult for me. As we enter another phase of the pandemic, the future that once seemed clear has fogged over. Since circumstances aren’t likely to get better anytime soon, the only thing I can change is my mindset, and to remind myself I am not the one in control. It’s up to me to behave sensibly and with kindness. The rest is up to God.

Anyway, here is my prayer for today.

 My Christmas Prayer

Lord, forgive me for yet again losing focus of what Christmas is all about.
Thank you for coming to us as a baby, even being so humble as to be born in a stable.
Forgive me for caring too much about things that don’t last and fretting over giving the perfect gift.
Thank you for being the most perfect gift we could have ever received.
Forgive me where I’ve failed and help me to be a better reflection of you.
Thank you for being the true light of the world, worthy for the star of Bethlehem to shine upon.
Forgive me for being so fearful of death and allowing that fear to steal the joy of the life I have now.
Thank you for dying for me, for the suffering and agony, for being human so that you understand my fears.
Forgive me for not looking forward with more anticipation to the next life with you and clinging so tightly to that which I know.
Thank you for the promise of preparing a place for me, one far better than anything I have seen or heard.
Help me Lord, for I desperately need you, this Christmas day and always. I lift up my heart and soul to you.
Amen

Make it a wonderful day of worship and celebration!

Love,
Carolyn

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Psalm 143:8 (NKJV)
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.